Patrice Bäumel’s sound is relaxed, freeing, and jubilant, reminiscent of dance floors that stay active until dawn and the exhausted peace felt when watching a sunrise set.

The DJ and producer, born in Germany—though currently based in Portugal—is the product of many influences. He credits his adoptive father, who was a music journalist, with introducing him to many of the sounds that went on to greatly influence his career, such as Depeche Mode, Skinny Puppy, The Cure, and Yello. In addition to this unofficial music education, the artist’s formative years growing up in East Germany before the fall of the Berlin wall, greatly informed the way he saw the world as a young man. In addition to growing up in this communist state, Bäumel also struggled with being one of the only residents of color in his largely white community. His unique look at the world—and his music—were also informed by his entrepreneurial spirit, which led him to begin DJing at just 17, though he largely kept his talents in the hobby realm until the 2000’s, when he was living and working in Amsterdam.

At this point, and with the release of his smash hit “Roar,” in 2008 on Get Physical Music, Bäumel experienced his big break, earning nods from the likes of BBC Radio 1’s Pete Tong and Danny Tenaglia. Securing a residency at Amsterdam’s now defunct Trouw, which was regarded as one of Holland’s most popular clubs, was the next step on Bäumel’s path to the top.

Today, Baumel’s is a name that is revered on festival and event lineups, and his career is a blueprint for many of the dance music industry’s up-and-comers. He’s played across the world, at notable venues like Ibiza’s Ushuaïa, Amsterdam’s Shelter, and London’s fabric, and at festivals like Awakenings. In February 2022, Bäumel was the cover star of Beatport.